MIKE OWENS

Smiling African American man with gray hair and beard wearing a white cap with 'FUN' logo and a white T-shirt, in an indoor sports facility with people in the background.

Mike Owens is a seasoned football coach with more than 30 years of experience at both the high school and collegiate levels. He currently serves on the coaching staff at Chapman University, having first joined the Panthers in 2006. Over the years, he has held coaching roles at respected programs including Whittier College and Azusa Pacific University, as well as at Maranatha, South Hills, and Pomona high schools.

Mike’s coaching career extends beyond the regular season — he has also contributed to elite summer football camps at the University of Oregon and Brigham Young University, working with young athletes on foundational skills and leadership development.

As a former quarterback himself, Mike's playing career was equally impressive. He played at both the University of Oregon and Whittier College, where he became a standout athlete. His accolades include:

  • Whittier College Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee (1997)

  • Pizza Hut College All-American Football Team

  • SCIAC Team Quarterback (1985, 1986)

  • Whittier College Football Player of the Year (1985)

  • Team Captain and Male Athlete of the Year (1986)

  • High School All-American Quarterback, Van Nuys High School (1980)

  • Shriner All-Star Game Offensive Player of the Game (1980)

Mike earned his bachelor’s degree in communications from Whittier College in 1986, followed by a master’s degree in public administration from National University in 2010. He is also a certified professional and personal life coach, and has delivered motivational presentations for organizations such as Orange County Probation, Riverside Probation, San Bernardino Probation, and several community and coaching organizations.

His coaching philosophy is rooted in both integrity and technical excellence — as inspired by his favorite verse, Psalm 78:72:

“…he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.”

Whether mentoring quarterbacks or guiding young people in life beyond football, Coach Owens brings heart, humility, and decades of experience to every athlete he works with.